LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 58: He Doesn't Care About Her
Chapter 58: He Doesn’t Care About Her
Although Qiao Nian was pretending, in others’ eyes, she was carried into the Marquis’s mansion and into this Fanghe Courtyard just like Xiao Qingnu.
She had also received treatment from the mansion’s doctor just like Xiao Qingnu!
But why, at this moment, did Lin Ye care about Lin Yuan, and even worry about Xiao Qingnu who had no relation to him, yet forget about her, his former sister?
Hadn’t he once cared about her the most?
Hadn’t he always sought out the best things in the world for her?
Hadn’t he fought with others until bloodied for her sake?
How come now, he cared about everyone else, but didn’t care about her at all?
Lin Ye was also shaken by Qiao Nian’s light question.
For a moment, he even dared not look into Qiao Nian’s questioning eyes, and didn’t know how to answer.
But Lin Yuan beside him was crying heavily, almost leaning her entire body on him, sobbing.
Lin Ye knew that Lin Yuan had suffered a great injustice today.
Thinking of how Lin Yuan had just been insulted by her best friend, all because of Qiao Nian, the trace of guilt Lin Ye felt towards Qiao Nian disappeared completely.
He glared at Qiao Nian hatefully, “I see you look full of energy, doesn’t seem like anything’s wrong with you! Otherwise, how would you have the strength to stir up trouble! I warn you, Yuan’er has always been pure and kind. If she gets any bad reputation because of this, I won’t let you off! Yuan’er, let’s go!”
Lin Ye left with his arm around Lin Yuan.
Qiao Nian stood there watching coldly, secretly mocking herself that after experiencing so much and understanding so much, her heart could still feel cold and painful.
Ningshuang appeared at some point, draping a cloak over Qiao Nian’s shoulders. She sneered at Lin Ye and Lin Yuan’s retreating figures, “They don’t care about propriety now?”
Men and women should be kept apart, so Lin Ye and Xiao Heng couldn’t save Xiao Qingnu.
But Lin Yuan cried pitifully, so Lin Ye could embrace her and leave?
What kind of logic was this?
Hearing Ningshuang’s words, Qiao Nian couldn’t help but laugh, though it was a bitter laugh.
She turned to go inside, not willing to waste another glance on those two.
Ningshuang followed Qiao Nian inside, saying, “Miss, I just saw His Highness Prince Ming.”
Hearing this, Qiao Nian was stunned, “Just now?”
“Yes!” Ningshuang nodded, “On the stone bridge, I don’t know why he didn’t come over!”
Qiao Nian frowned. She had been too focused on watching the drama between Xiao Qingnu and Lin Yuan, and hadn’t noticed anyone on the stone bridge.
But when Xiao Qingnu ran out, she had clearly seen that there was no sign of Prince Ming on the bridge.
Had he left?
Qiao Nian thought for a moment, then waved her hand, “Let him be!”
She didn’t have the energy to deal with Prince Ming anymore.
But in her mind, she inadvertently recalled Xiao Qingnu’s warning—
Never go to the west of the city.
The next day, Qiao Nian was summoned to the palace.
It was Noble Consort De who wanted to see her.
Qiao Nian followed the leading eunuch all the way to Noble Consort De’s chambers. Perhaps because Xiao Qingnu’s warning yesterday had been so abrupt, Qiao Nian felt uneasy thinking about it now, and felt increasingly anxious about Noble Consort De suddenly summoning her to the palace.
Just then, the eunuch leading the way suddenly stopped, “This servant greets General Xiao.”
Qiao Nian was startled, only then realizing that Xiao Heng had blocked their path.
Feeling a wave of displeasure, she still bowed respectfully, “Greetings to General Xiao.”
“You go ahead, this general has something to say to Miss Qiao,” Xiao Heng said coldly, his dark eyes fixed on her, exuding an uncomfortable chill.
The little eunuch obediently responded and left.
Qiao Nian took a deep breath, thinking that since Xiao Heng was openly blocking her, could it be because of Xiao Qingnu?
Had something happened to Xiao Qingnu after she left yesterday?
Or was it because of Lin Yuan?
Qiao Nian felt the latter was more likely.
She lowered her eyes and didn’t speak, just waiting for Xiao Heng to finish so she could leave. Unexpectedly, a pair of boots suddenly appeared in her line of sight.
That familiar presence enveloped her, and Qiao Nian was startled. She suddenly looked up to find that Xiao Heng had already walked right up to her.
Very close, very close!
So close that if others saw, it would definitely cause gossip!
She instinctively wanted to distance herself from him and hurriedly stepped back two steps.
Unexpectedly, a sudden pain of tugging came from her earlobe.
Qiao Nian hurriedly covered her ear, suddenly realizing that there was an earring on her ear.
She had dressed simply to enter the palace today and hadn’t worn any jewelry on her ears.
So this earring, had Xiao Heng just put it on her?
As this thought entered her mind, Qiao Nian was greatly shocked. Looking back at Xiao Heng, she saw that he was still holding another earring in his hand.
A dark red agate pendant swayed gently between his fingers.
But…
Hadn’t she thrown away those earrings along with the wooden box yesterday?
Had he picked up the earrings she had thrown into the lake?
Qiao Nian looked at Xiao Heng with confusion, “What does the General mean by this?”
Faced with the shock and questioning on Qiao Nian’s face, Xiao Heng still maintained his cold expression.
“This is what this general gave you,” he said in a low voice, exuding an inexplicable pressure. “You threw them away in public, which was losing face for this general.”
Qiao Nian frowned.
He even referred to himself as “this general” in front of her, showing that her act of throwing away the earrings in public had indeed made him lose face.
But… what did it mean to put them back on her now?
Then she saw Xiao Heng suddenly reach out, bringing the other earring in front of her, and in a commanding tone said coldly, “Put it on.”
Qiao Nian glanced at the earring, then raised her hand to take off the one on her left ear, “Since I threw them away, it means I don’t want them. If the General likes them, please take them back!”
As she spoke, she placed the earring in her hand onto Xiao Heng’s palm.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Heng turned his wrist, and his large hand grabbed Qiao Nian’s hand.
With a turn, the pair of earrings were grasped in his palm.
At the same time, they were also in Qiao Nian’s palm.
In full view of everyone, he had actually held her hand like this!
Qiao Nian was startled and hurriedly tried to pull her hand back, but he held it tightly, giving her no strength to resist.
That cold and handsome face exuded an icy chill, “This general will go to visit the Old Madam shortly. Whether you wear these earrings or not is up to you.”
Having said that, he released her hand, leaving the pair of earrings in Qiao Nian’s palm.
Qiao Nian knew that Xiao Heng was threatening her!
He clearly knew that what she cared about most now was her grandmother, clearly knew that she only had her grandmother left!
Yet, he used her grandmother to threaten her!
If she didn’t wear them, what would he tell her grandmother?
That she had fallen into the water again yesterday?
Or that Prince Ming was a cripple, and that after marrying Prince Ming, she would only face a life of hardship?
No matter which, if her grandmother found out, she would surely be heartbroken and distressed…
He clearly knew that her grandmother was in poor health!
Seeing Qiao Nian standing still, Xiao Heng’s lips curled into a cold smile, “Miss Qiao is going to see Noble Consort De now, right? Wearing this pair of earrings would be just right.”
Just right for Prince Ming to see!